Israel OK's 1,000 homes in West Bank

A Palestinian worker is seen on a construction site in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Sholmo, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012. A European diplomat says Germany and three other European members of the U.N. Security Council are preparing a statement condemning Israel's latest settlement plans in the West Bank.(AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
— AP

A Palestinian worker is seen on a construction site in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Sholmo, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012. A European diplomat says Germany and three other European members of the U.N. Security Council are preparing a statement condemning Israel's latest settlement plans in the West Bank.(AP Photo/Dan Balilty)
/ AP

JERUSALEM 
Israel has given final approval to 1,000 new homes for Israelis in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Ariel Rosenberg, spokesman for the Ministry of Housing and Construction, says the housing units are among 3,000 new settlement homes Israel promised to build in in response to the Palestinians' bid for upgraded status at the United Nations last month.

Rosenberg says in the coming months, Israel will issue tenders for building in a number of settlements, some deep inside the West Bank.

Hagit Ofran of anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now says it would take about a year before building begins.

Earlier Wednesday, a Jerusalem municipal committee gave its approval for a new settlement in east Jerusalem.

The planned construction on occupied territories claimed by the Palestinians has drawn fierce international condemnation.